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Syntagma Square

Syntagma Square is considered to be the focal point of commercial activity and Greek political life. Considering my research focused on the debt crisis and the politics currently taking place in Greece, I decided to include Syntagma Square as a destination in my Grand Tour. The word "Syntagma" meant arrangement in ancient Greek, and constitution in modern Greek. At the top of Syntagma Square is the Parliament of Greece (also known as the Vouli). Before, the Parliament building, built between 1836-1840, was King Otto's palace. 

 

Right in front of the parliament building is the monument of the Unknown soldier (“O Agnostos”) which is guarded 24 hours a day by Presidential guards. The guards wear the official 19th century uniform that includes the foustanela, the traditional skirt (as photographed on the right). Many tourists stand in front of the Parliament of Greece, take pictures with the guards (who stand motionless), and wait for the changing of the guards to take place which occurs every hour. 

 

A man I interviewed said to me: “No matter what the outcome of the referendum is, it won’t make a difference. The first thing Greece needs to do is create laws for its citizens to actually follow the laws”. When I asked him him about his thoughts on Prime Minister Tsipras and the Syriza party, he replied: “Εμείς ψηφίσαμε, εμείς έχουμε την ευθύνη”. “We voted, we have the responsibility”. 

 

Despite the fact that 61.3% of the Greek people voted "No" in the referendum, Prime Minister Tsipras agreed to the package of proposals, including further austerity measures. Although the Greek citizens who voted "No" feel betrayed, and argue that Tsipras is a traitor, the Prime Minister found himself in an unfavorable situation in which accepting the deal in exchange for debt relief seemed like the right choice. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the recent events taking place within the country, there have been many strikes and demonstrations relating to the current debt crisis held outside the Greek Parliament. I identified three stances: those who wanted Greece to vote yes in the referendum, accepting the austerity measures in order to "ensure" that they remain in the Eurozone, those who refused to accept further austerity, even if it meant potentially exiting the Eurozone and returning to the country's previous currency, the drachma, and those who were neutral and believe that politics in Greece are corrupt. 

Today, Syntagma Square is considered to be the heart of Athens, and has become a common meeting point for Athenians themselves. The area is surrounded by cafes, restaurants, banks, offices and hotels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Footage of thousands of people gathered on Syntagma Square in an anti-austerity protest.

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